Improvement in combined gun-stocks and spades



BLAKE.

Cdmhined Gun-Stock and Spade.

No.135,624, PatentedFeb.H,1873.

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I VILLIAM E. BLAKE, ()F NEW YORK, N. Y.

lMPROVEMENT IN COMBINED GUN-STOCKS AND SPADES Specification forming'partof Letters Patent No. 135,624. dated February 11, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM EDWARD BLAKE, of New York city, State of NewYork, have invented certain Improvements in Gun- Stocks, of which thefollowing is a specification:

The object of my invention is to construct and provide a gun with thestock so constructed that the butt of the same can be used as a shovelor spade, when so required; also to give the small or wrist of the stockbetween the said butt and the barrel such a bend or twist that it willbe easier to fire and take aim with than the present-used straightwrist, and will serve the purpose of a spade or shovel better thanastraight wrist.

At present the soldiers, especially the sap pers, miners, and engineers,are provided with an extra shovel or spade, carried in a separate slingor belt when on duty in throwing up embankments, fortifications,rifle-pits, 850. Such an extra tool is a great detriment to the marchingand to the movements in general of the soldiers. Experience has shownthat soldiers in engagement throw away all implements and extra weightyarticles which are not absolutely necessary for their safety andcomfort. The last article a soldier would part with is his gun, becauseon this he depends for defense and life. Hence, I have made the presentinvention, which converts the gun into a spade or shovel withoutburdening the soldier or carrier with an extra weight, or in any wayimpairing the efficiency of the gun.

Figure I is a side view of a gun embodying my invention. Fig. II is aplan view of the same with the cover removed. Fig. III is a sectionalside view (enlarged size) of the the shoulder-rest with the end pieceattached. Fig. IV is an end view of the same with the end-piece removed.Fig. V is a front view of the end-piece.

A is the shoulder and head rest; B, the neck, attached to thebarrel-rest D in any convenient manner.

As will be seen in Fig. IV, the shoulder and head rest are made out of ahollow piece of metal, or partly wood, partly metal-I prefercast-stee1--which has the form of a shovel or spade. p

To the end of this rest is fitted a movable piece, E, which at anymoment can be attached or detached by aid of the spring 9 and thenotches b I), made in the inside near the end of the rest A. When thispiece is placed on the shoulder-rest it is just as convenient for firingas any other gun. When removed the spade or shovel is ready for use. Ascrewdriver, c, is attached to this end-piece E, runnin g in the groove(1, which can be pushed out by aid of the knob 0 through an opening, f.The spring 9 fastened to the end-piece E by aid of the screws h h,serves, by aid of the catch 1', guide j, and notches b b in theshoulderrest A, to hold it in its place. In Fig. II the bend and twistto the neck B, which connects the barrel-rest D to the shoulder and headrest A, is represented. This bend serves a double purpose First, to givefacility for aimingand firing the gun 5 secondly, it makes a better andmore serviceable spade or shovel, and more convenient and easy to handlethan a straight neck. In order to protect the shoulder and head-rest Aas Well as the end-piece E, and make the handling of the metal of whichthe rest A is constructed, more convenient to the soldier or carrier ofthe gun, and also to form a receptacle for ammunition or other articlesthe soldier or gun-carrier needs, a cover, H, is slipped over the saidrest and end-piece, and fastened by the neck B in any convenient manner.

Having thus fully described my invention, I desire to claiml.v A shovelor spade formed of the head and shoulder rest A of a gun-stock,substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

2. A twist or bend given to the neck B of a gun-stock, substantially asand for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

WILLIAM EDWARD BLAKE.

Witnesses:

FRANKLIN BARRI'II, J.

